What you should know before you sign on with any particular divorce lawyer.

You've made the difficult decision to seek a divorce, and now comes the next decision: hiring a divorce lawyer. If you are like many people, you may have never hired an attorney before, let alone an attorney for as fraught an issue as a divorce. You may not know what questions to ask or how to find a divorce lawyer who will meet your needs.

At the Law Offices of Rashmi N. Patel, we are here to help. As divorce lawyers serving Stamford, Danbury, and Hartford, we have helped many Connecticut residents through the difficult process of divorce. We also know just how challenging it can be to hire a divorce attorney. That is why we drew up this list of three essential questions to ask every divorce lawyer you interview. It's not everything you need to know, but it's enough to get you started.

What types of cases do you typically handle?

First things first: if your divorce is likely to be contested or arduous, you want to work with an attorney who handles a large number of divorce cases. A general attorney may not have the knowledge needed to help you through a difficult case. Secondly, once you've determined that the attorney you're speaking with primarily focuses on divorce, ask them how their cases typically play out. A divorce lawyer who typically helps couples pursuing amicable divorces through mediation may not be the right fit if your divorce is likely to require a trial (or vice versa). Finally, if you have any complicating factors in your divorce case - like child custody issues, complicated property arrangements, or domestic abuse - you need to ensure you work with an attorney with experience handling those types of issues.

 What type of strategy would you pursue with my case?

Obviously, the divorce lawyer you consult won't have a detailed strategy ready to go during your first meeting - and that's a good thing. However, the attorney should be able to give you a general sense of how they expect your case to go. They should be able to tell you whether they think mediation or a trial is a better route for you, whether they think it would be a good idea to pursue temporary relief, and what potential roadblocks they see and how they might handle them.

How much is this going to cost?

Cost is a major concern for many people going through a divorce. A divorce lawyer will not be able to tell you how much your divorce will cost to the penny; however, they should be able to give you a ballpark figure. The attorney should also be able to explain their fee structure to you: whether they work on retainer or charge by the hour, how they track their time (for instance, an attorney who charges by six-minute intervals and who works on your case for eight minutes will charge you for twelve minutes), and whether they charge extra for things like emails and phone calls.

Closing Arguments

These questions are meant to help you get started. As you speak with prospective divorce lawyers, be sure to ask follow-up questions and to request clarification when needed. Above all, don't be intimidated as you go through the process. Think of the process of consulting with divorce lawyers as similar to a job interview - one where you are the employer.

And of course, if you happen to need a divorce lawyer in the greater Danbury, Hartford, or Stamford, CT area, don't hesitate to contact us at the Law Offices of Rashmi N. Patel. Our team would be happy to meet with you, answer your questions, and help you determine the best possible strategy for your divorce case. Call us today to request a consultation.